Extension
It Starts With Us
McCracken County Family and Consumer Sciences and Supplemental Nutrition Education
Family and Consumer Science Education
Alsip, Anderson, Dodson, Hank, Stephanie Caldwell (SNAP)
Local Food Systems
Active Living and Health Promotions General
Nutrition and Food Systems General
Health
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Kentucky adult obesity rates rank among the 10 highest in the US; and, Kentucky youth rank among the 10 highest for obesity in the US. Thirty percent of Kentucky adults report not participating in any physical activity. The CDC also reports Kentucky adults rank in the 10 highest for poor consumption of fruits and vegetables in the US. The Partnership for a Fit Kentucky reports that one in every five Kentucky adults have difficulty getting adequate fresh produce where they live. They also report that in Kentucky, there are approximately 158 farmers markets with more than 2,500 vendors in at least 105 counties, yet only 23 accept SNAP benefits, 75 accept WIC, and 69 accept Senior Farmers Market vouchers. `
In addition to these health and environmental indicators, according to the US Census, approximately 19% of Kentucky’s total population is living in poverty; and, approximately 27% percent of children and youth under the age of 18 live in poverty. Further, the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services reports approximately 18% of the Kentucky population receive SNAP benefits, while the Partnership for a Fit Kentucky reports approximately 85% of households in Kentucky are food insecure.
According to kentuckyhealthfacts.org web site, in McCracken County, 20% of the adults surveyed reported their health status as either “fair” or “poor.”
Individuals will reduce their risk for nutrition-related health problems.
• Individuals will maintain a healthy weight.
• Individuals will prepare meals at home 5 or more times a week.
• Fewer food-borne illnesses will be reported by healthcare providers.
The instance of food insecurity will decline in the community.
• Individuals will increase their physical stamina.
• Individuals will increase food availability by accessing additional healthy foods via community systems and personal productivity.
• Community social, environmental, and policy systems will reinforce healthy lifestyle behaviors.
•Individuals will adopt one recommendation from the dietary guidelines.
•Individuals demonstrate food preparation skills.
•Individuals engage in good food safety practices.
•Individuals adopt one food resource management practice.
•Individuals engage in regular physical activity.
•Individuals utilize community support systems (farmers market, community gardens, WIC, food pantry, etc.) that provide access to healthy foods.
•Individuals will grow, care for, produce and preserve foods from personal gardens and orchards to gain access to healthy foods.
•Community social, environmental, and policy systems will design opportunities to support individuals toward living a healthier lifestyle
•Individuals will be able to identify the components of a healthy diet as defined by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
•Individuals will describe food preparation techniques.
•Individuals will be able to describe food safety practices.
•Individuals will identify food resource management practices.
•Individuals will recognize the importance of physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle.
•Individuals will locate community support systems (farmers market, WIC, food pantry, etc.) that provide access to healthy foods.
•Individuals will develop skills and knowledge to grow their own garden and/or orchard.
•Partners will recognize the need for community social, environmental, and policy systems to address efforts toward improving healthier lifestyles.
Long-term Outcome: Individuals will reduce their risk for health problems.
Indicator: Individuals will report reduced health problems as a result of making healthy eating choices and increasing physical activity.
Method: Pre/Post written evaluation. Change in health/disease data from Kentucky County Healthcare Profile Data (CEDIK).
Timeline: Ongoing
Long-term Outcome: Individuals will maintain a healthy weight.
Indicator: Individuals will report sustained weight loss or healthy weight maintenance as a result of making healthy eating choices and physical activity.
Method: Pre/Post written evaluation. Change in BMI data from Kentucky County Healthcare Profile Data (CEDIK).
Timeline: Ongoing
Long-term Outcome: Individuals will prepare meals at home 5 or more times a week.
Indicator: Number of individuals reporting preparing meals 5 more times a week.
Method: Pre/Post written evaluation.
Timeline: Ongoing
Long-term Outcome: Fewer foodborne illnesses will be reported by healthcare providers.
Indicator: A decrease in the number of foodborne illness reported.
Method: Reports from the Department of Public Health.
Timeline: Ongoing
Long-term Outcome: Individuals will have improved food security.
Indicator: A decrease in the number of individuals reporting hunger.
Method: Pre/Post written evaluation. Web-NEERS reports. Change in food security data from the Kentucky County Agriculture and Food Profiles (CEDIK).
Timeline: Ongoing
Long-term Outcome: Individuals will increase their physical stamina.
Indicator: Increase in the number of individuals reporting the ability to engage in physical activity for a sustained period of time.
Method: Pre/Post written evaluation. Web-NEERS. Changes in physical activity data from the Kentucky County Healthcare Profile Data (CEDIK).
Timeline: Ongoing
Long-term Outcome: Individuals will increase food availability by accessing additional healthy foods via community systems (community gardens, WIC, food pantry, etc.).
Indicator: Food insecurity decreases. .
Method: Pre/Post written evaluation. Web-NEERS reports. Change in food security data from the Kentucky County Agriculture and Food Profiles (CEDIK).
Timeline: Ongoing
Long-term Outcome: Individuals will increase consumption of fruits and vegetables through home gardens and orchards.
Indicator: Changes in food security. Yields of produce grown. Quantity of food preserved.
Method: Pre/Post written evaluation. Web-NEERS reports. Garden Survey. Change in food security data from the Kentucky County Agriculture and Food Profiles (CEDIK).
Timeline: Ongoing
Long-term Outcome: Community social, environmental, and policy systems will promote a healthier lifestyle.
Indicator: Increase in the number of social, environmental, and policy changes implemented to support healthier lifestyles.
Method: Community surveillance. Changes in Kentucky County Healthcare Profile Data related to recreational facilities in the physical environment (CEDIK).
Timeline: Ongoing
Audience: Youth and Adults
Project or Activity: Education Activities
Topic: Increase access to affordable and healthy food
Curriculum/Education:
•Guide to Kentucky Fresh Vegetables
•Home & Garden Vegetable Publications
•Food Preservation
•Farm to School Curriculum (youth)
•LEAP Curriculum (youth)
•Weight the Reality Series Curriculum
•UK NEP Adult Curriculum
•Money Wise
•Super Star Chef Goes to the Farmers Market
•Culinary Challenge
•Lunch from the Land
•Grow It, Try It, Like It (Youth)
Topic: Obesity prevention (nutrition and physical activity)
Curriculum/Education:
•Get Moving Kentucky/Walk and Talk
•4-H Health Curriculum
•Home Vegetable Gardening/Production
•Food Preservation
•Weight the Reality Series Curriculum
•UK NEP Adult Curriculum
•Money Wise
•USDA materials
•Plate It Up
•Food preparation programs
•Organwise (youth)
Topic: Increase food preparation skills
Curriculum/Education:
•Home-based food processing
•Plate It Up
•Food preparation programs
•UK NEP Adult Curriculum
•USDA materials
•Weight the Reality Series Curriculum
•SuperStar Chef
•Lunch from the Land
Topic: Increase adoption of appropriate food safety behaviors
Possible Curriculum/Education:
•UK NEP Adult Curriculum
•Glow Germ (Youth)
•Fight BAC & Thermy
•UK FCS Extension food safety publications
•Super Star Chef food safety
•PBPT Training (Adults) Produce Best Practices Training
•Discover MyPlate (Youth)
•Select LEAP books
Topic: Increase knowledge and behavior changes toward adopting the recommendations of the dietary guidelines
Curriculum/Education:
•OrganWise curriculum (youth)
•Super Star Chef curriculum (youth/adults)
•LEAP curriculum (youth)
•Weight the Reality Series curriculum
•Master Food Volunteers
•UK NEP Adult Curriculum
•Food Preservation
•Farm to School Curriculum (youth)
•USDA materials
•Fit Blue App & Challenge
•Teen Cuisine (youth)
•Grow It, Try It, Like It (Youth)
•Discover MyPlate (Youth)
Policy, System & Environment Examples
All sectors of society, including individuals and families, communities, organizations, businesses, and policymakers, contribute to the food and physical activity environments in which people live. Community and public health approaches help create conditions where the healthy choice becomes the easy and preferred choice, which is facilitated through changes in policy, systems, and the environment. These approaches can reach large numbers of low-income Kentuckians and possibly produce meaningful impact. Inclusion on coalitions and committees, as well as facilitating and implementing policies and programs are approaches County Agents can use to affect change in their communities that benefit SNAP and SNAP eligible citizens.
Topic: Food Systems
•Farmers Market
•Produce Best Practices Training (PBPT)
Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)
•Farm to School
•Farm to Food Bank
•Local Food Brokers
•Sustainable Community Food Systems
•School or Community Gardens
•Food Deserts
•Faith and Community Partnerships
•Grocery and Food Retailing Promoting SNAP Benefit Acceptance/SFMNP
•Field Days
Topic: Schools & Youth Programs
•School Gardens
•Farm to School
•Backpack Programs
•Faith and Community Partnerships
Topic: Physical Activity
•Faith and Community Partnerships
Indirect Education Examples
•Chop Chop Magazine
•Community Event Fairs
•Newsletter Distribution
•Website/Social Media Educational Message
•NEP Calendar Distribution
Author: Kelly Alsip
Major Program: Community Health Needs Assessment
The 4-H Backpack program was established fifteen years ago by McCracken County teenagers at a 4-HIssues Conference. Teens were to take an issue that impacted our community and find a way to make adifference. Many of our children in the City and County school systems are fortunate enough to haveparents who are able to provide for them. Unfortunately, there are many who do their best to make endsmeet and still need additional help.The backpack program is for school-aged youth who do not know where
Author: Kelly Alsip
Major Program: Child Development General
Laugh and Learn Playdates Kentucky has reported that only 57% of children attending kindergarten in McCracken County are prepared and equipped to succeed, and Paducah Independent is at 47%. In many Kentucky counties, limited resources or the environment may hinder healthy lifestyle choices related to early childhood development and physical activity. As an innovative strategy to improve early childhood development skills and increase kindergarten readiness with Paducah City, and
Author: Kelly Alsip
Major Program: Apparel and Textiles (Non-Master Clothing Volunteer)
Clients asked for a class to learn more about quilting for brand-new beginners who have never used their machines before and more experienced quilters.The Basic Sewing class learned how to use their sewing machines and made a pillowcase.The heirloom class discussed 3-D elements on quilts and how to add these elements using a basic sewing machine.The classes were done twice on different days to be available for new participants.We set the age requirement for 18 and up but some kids came with thei
Author: Kelly Alsip
Major Program: Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud
Title: Spring Into Green: Pride of Kentucky Major Program: (1021), (1031), (2061), or (2066) (program indicators used in eval)Plan of Work: Increase health literacy, community involvementOutcome: InitialSNAP relate - yes (1021), (2061), or (2066) Spring into Green: Pride of Kentucky was hosted by the Purchase Area Family and Consumer Science agents at the McCracken County Extension Office. Speakers at this year’s event discussed topics related to Kentucky. Topics discussed focus
